The number of burglaries in Athens has approximately doubled from winter to spring quarter, local police said.  

Although the Athens Police Department does not keep track of burglary statistics, the department had noticed more calls for theft and studied the increase, said Capt. Tom Pyle.

“These people have targeted student-populated areas,” he said.

A South Shafer Street resident reported his unlocked house was entered and had about $500 worth of property stolen on Monday, according to an Athens Police report.

A North Congress Street house was entered while one resident left for class between 12 and 1 p.m., according to an Athens Police report. His laptop was stolen while his roommate and dog were home on Monday, according to the report.

“It’s almost always an unlocked house,” Pyle said.

Athens Police responded Monday to a broken door, a stolen television and stolen stereo totaling about $600, according to an Athens Police report. The Athens County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the robbery because his North Blackburn Road address is outside the city, the report stated.

An East State Street house was entered and a gym bag containing more than $400 worth of items was taken on either Monday or Tuesday, according to another Athens Police report.

High Street has seen numerous thefts this quarter, said senior journalism major Ashley Chapman. Burglars took a laptop, a camera and $300 from her house May 8, she said. Two of her roommates were home at about 10 a.m. when the robbery took place.

Robberies in Athens were almost always done at night, but have been occurring at all times recently, Pyle said.
To prevent robberies, students should keep their doors locked and put personal items out of sight and hidden from street view, he said.